Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Once you make this easy Homemade Taco Seasoning, you'll never go back to buying those overpriced packets again! It tastes incredible, is healthy, super frugal, and has none of the fillers you'll find in most store-bought versions.

And to take your taco meat to the next level, use the special cooking tips I've included in this post.

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This homemade taco seasoning uses traditional spices like chili powder and paprika, but also has a few unique ingredients.

Many years ago, around the time that I started this site, I shared a taco seasoning recipe here. It was a great recipe, but I always wondered if it could be better.

Years later, I spent hours working on a new version and I have to say that it's now truly amazing and my family agrees wholeheartedly.

The day that I finished the recipe and updated it here, we were super busy and were all working through dinnertime on various things. Suddenly, it was 10 pm! Too late for taco salad? Nah, I knew how good it was going to taste and so we had dinner at 10:30 pm and celebrated this new recipe.

Now, I don't recommend eating dinner at 10:30, but I do recommend you make this taco seasoning soon and keep it in your pantry at all times.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is great for so many reasons.

• Great Taste — As mentioned above, this recipe is so great, it's worth cooking with it even after an exhausting day when most people would typically turn to eating something out of a can or box.
• Control Over Ingredients — No icky MSG-type stuff or fillers. For example, did you know that many taco seasonings have lactose (milk sugar) in them and that sometimes cornstarch is the main ingredient?
• Save Money — Individual seasonings are simply less expensive than blends. And those small taco seasoning packets are so pricey!
• Have Fun with Kids — Making seasoning blends is an easy way to involve your kids in the kitchen.
• Save Money and Time — No last-minute trips to the store to get something that you can easily make yourself.
• Freshness — Homemade seasoning blends are a lot fresher than what you'll find in the store.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you'll need. For the amounts, scroll to the printable recipe card.

• chili powder – use whatever chili powder you like, but we love my homemade version
• cumin
• smoked paprika – regular paprika or ancho pepper can be used as well
• garlic powder – this homemade version is simple to make
• onion powder
• oregano
• salt – I prefer Jacobsen Salt for its clean sourcing and lack of additives compared to many conventional salts.
• black pepper
• red pepper flakes
• cocoa powder – optional but adds depth similar to Mexican mole sauces. I like Rodelle brand for its clean sourcing.
• coconut sugar – this adds a caramelized flavor to the recipe along with a hint of sweetness. You can use stevia or another low-carb option if you like instead, but you'll only get the sweetness and not the caramelizing unless you use allulose.
• coriander (optional, but highly recommended)

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Ways to Use

There are so many ways to use taco seasoning. In fact, we often have this DIY Taco Seasoning as a standby seasoning on our table because of how versatile it is. Try it on:

• Tacos (of course) — with regular or Grain-Free Taco Shells (AIP).
• Tortillas — with regular or Paleo Tortillas.
• Taco Salad
• Veggies
• Salad
• Popcorn
• Chicken
• Beef
• Fish
• Sides (like rice, potatoes, etc.)
• Soups (like this Creamy Root Vegetable Soup)
• Ice cream  (yes, it's true. Try it on chocolate ice cream and see!)

How Much Taco Seasoning Is in a Packet?

Most store-bought taco seasoning packets contain about 2 tablespoons of seasoning mix. Here's how to use this homemade taco seasoning to season one pound of meat.

• 2 tablespoons = mild flavor
• 3 tablespoons = bold flavor

Storage

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for best freshness. For longer storage, you can refrigerate the seasoning to help preserve the flavor of the spices. I prefer glass over plastic when possible.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Amount to Use: Use 2–3 tablespoons of the seasoning mix per pound of meat. 2 tablespoons yields a more classic taco meat, while 3 tablespoons gives “bigger” flavor without being overdone. For beans, use about 2 tablespoons of this blend for every 2 cups of cooked beans.
• Red Pepper Flake Options: Aleppo peppers are a good alternative that has a nice depth of flavor.
• Salt Options: You can use pretty much any type of salt, however, if using kosher salt, you'll want to use about 1 1/2 teaspoons due to the larger flakes. Just make sure to taste test and adjust as desired. Starting with less is best. You can add salt to the finished dish or add more to the seasoning mix once you know how salty you like it.
• AIP Option: Traditional taco seasoning relies on nightshades like chili powder and paprika, so it isn’t compatible with the autoimmune protocol. If you need a nightshade-free option, try this AIP Taco Seasoning instead.
• Cooking Tips: For amazingly good taco meat, brown 1 lb ground beef over medium-high. If the meat is too fatty, spoon off a bit of the fat. Add 2–3 tablespoons of the seasoning plus 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Cook and stir for 30–45 seconds. Add ¼–½ cup water or beef broth, scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan, and simmer 5–7 minutes until thick. Add 1–2 tablespoons lime juice. Taste and adjust salt.
• Multiple Batches: Just as I like to do bulk baking, I recommend making more of this homemade taco seasoning in advance so that you have it on hand when you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is taco seasoning gluten-free?

Many store-bought taco seasoning packets contain fillers like wheat flour, maltodextrin, or anti-caking agents. Homemade taco seasoning avoids these additives and is gluten-free as long as the spices used are gluten-free.

Can you make taco seasoning without chili powder?

Yes, you can and in fact, this AIP Taco Seasoning has no chili powder or nightshades, but still tastes great.

Why is there cocoa powder in some taco seasoning?

A small amount of cocoa powder adds richness and depth similar to traditional Mexican mole sauces. It doesn't make the seasoning taste like chocolate, but enhances the other spices.

More Homemade Spice Mixes

Here are some more homemade spice blends to try.

• Quesadilla Seasoning – not just for quesadillas!
• Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Homemade Celery Salt
• Keto Cinnamon Sugar
• Curry Powder – literally one of the best curry powders I've ever had.
• Herbes de Provence (4 variations)

I'd love to hear what you think about this taco seasoning in the comments below!